ESPN is launching an all-in-one streaming service this Thursday, along with a slate of AI-powered features designed to personalize the fan experience and bring betting, fantasy sports and live events to one app.
A centerpiece of the rollout is an AI-driven feature called SportsCenter for You, which will deliver personalized video updates tailored to a user’s interests. The feature uses AI-generated commentary drawn from the voices of SportsCenter anchors, including Hannah Storm and Gary Striewski, among others. ESPN described the new experience as part of a broader push to make the service a central hub for sports fans across devices.
Pricing and access details have also been laid out. The full ESPN streaming service will cost $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year and will include programming from ESPN’s wide roster of channels, such as ESPN, ESPN2 and the SEC Network, plus original programming, documentaries and studio shows like The Pat McAfee Show. WWE live events will also be available on the app.
In addition to standalone access, ESPN is highlighting several bundles. A Disney+, Hulu and ESPN bundle will be offered for $29.99 for the first 12 months, after which the bundle will run $35.99 per month with ads or $49.99 per month without ads. Separate bundles include an ESPN and Fox package for $39.99 per month and an ESPN and NFL+ package (which includes NFL RedZone) for $39.99 per month.
There is also a lower-priced option for a narrower content set at $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year, giving fans a more affordable entry point.
New app features extend beyond sports content. ESPN’s updated mobile app will include Verts, a swipeable, TikTok-style feed driven by a personalized algorithm. A feature called StreamCenter will synchronize a user’s ESPN app with their TV, letting viewers track real-time stats, betting odds and shopping deals while following a game. The integration also enables using a mobile device as a secondary controller for what appears on the TV screen.
As part of the rollout, ESPN signaled that current cable subscribers can gain full access to the new service after authorization from their cable provider. However, authorization is not yet universal with some providers still negotiating, meaning a portion of subscribers—specifically those with Comcast Xfinity, YouTube TV, Dish Network, Sling TV and Cox—may not access certain content at launch.
The move comes as Disney continues to push its streaming strategy amid cord-cutting. Disney has reported growth in its streaming audience, including gains at Disney+, even as the company weathered subscriber shifts in other segments. Disney CEO Bob Iger has framed the ESPN streaming service as a way to reach younger viewers and keep ESPN top of mind across platforms.
What this means for fans is a more integrated entertainment and engagement experience: a single service offering live sports, original programming, interactive features, and real-time data, all designed to keep fans connected no matter where they are.
Positive note and outlook:
– The AI-driven personalization and interactive features could deepen fan engagement and create more tailored viewing experiences.
– Bundling ESPN with Disney+ and Hulu may help attract families and casual viewers who want a broader entertainment package.
– By tying live events, stats, betting odds and shopping deals to one platform, ESPN is positioning itself as a more dynamic, next-generation sports hub.
Summary:
ESPN is rolling out a comprehensive streaming service with AI-powered personalization, new interactive features, live WWE events, and a range of bundles designed to appeal to different budgets. While some cable providers are still negotiating access, the service aims to reinvent how fans consume sports by delivering content, data and shopping in one connected experience.